For New York Fashion Week, we pulled together seven fashion brands that drove denim to new levels and offered inspiration on what should be made in denim. We were so in love with some pieces that were not quite denim, that we threw those photos in for your ogling. We think you’ll forgive us.

Band of Outsiders—We’ve known for a while that the fashion houses have been fixated on Great Depression and Dustbowl era fashion, and there’s still a bit of this here, but with a mix of glam and luxury fabrics (we count suede and fur collars), there’s a sense that the sun-kissed models in workwear-inspired denim jumpsuits and white-collar attire, offers hope that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Images via Style.com.

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Diesel Black Gold—From red to blue denim, not only has Diesel gone gaga over color, they’ve gone Jackson Pollock with their side-tie pants and cropped jeans. With a definite homage to an 80′s fashion trend, the paint splashes and printed jeans serve as a contradiction to their progressive leatherwear. We couldn’t escape the sense of a Mad Max meets Highlander effect when everything was pulled together. Images via Style.com.

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Gilded Age—Stefan Miljanic brings motorcycle culture to the stage for fall, except with more refined touches in layering pieces and clean lines, even in their colored and gray jeans. Images via GQ online.

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Nicholas K—Designers Nicholas and Christopher Kunz have made her collection all about draping and furthering the Depression era vibe utilizing desert hues: models wore flapper wigs and Silent Film cosmetic work; Western touches were seen throughout. Hints of denim made its way in, including a hooded denim shirt and an homage to the denim jacket. Images via Mercedes Benz Fashion Week online.

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Rebecca Minkoff—Who knew she was also an apparel designer? Known largely for her handbags, long-time followers have looked forward to her return to clothing design, her first passion. We think her bright legging pants may as well segue into denim leggings. Her apparel debut at New York Fashion Week featuring an opening performance by Theophilus London, made a big splash. Images via Style.com.

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Concept Korea (V)—In an effort to bring visibility to South Korea’s top fashion labels, this collective was born. In it’s second year at NYFW, Concept features five top Korean labels. Most notably, the design duo Steve Jung and Yoni Pai (of the brand Steve J & Yoni P) with collaborations between Topshop and 10 Corso Como (Seoul) under their belt, they make denim part of their repertoire. Images via WWDand Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week online.

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Kelly Wearstler—As if to defy anybody who had any reservations about 80s fashions, this brand has committed wholeheartedly to the styling of acid wash jeans and stirrup leggings. Even if the ultra high-waisted acid wash zipper skirts aren’t your thing, you might just have a crush on the jackets. Images viaStyle.com.